The Ultimate Comfort

There is great comfort in knowing that the Lord will be with each one of us when our time comes to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. But there is even greater comfort in knowing what awaits us on the other side of the valley - when we pass out of time (the old order of things) into the eternal joy and presence of God who is making everything new. I like to call this the ultimate comfort – there can be no greater – no more death, or mourning, or crying or pain.

Isaiah expressed something of the wonder of eternity when he said, “eye hath not seen what he hath prepared for those who wait for him” (Isaiah 64:4). And Jesus told us of the preparations he would be making for those who loved Him (John 14:1-2). Amazingly, these words were addressed to people who were living in a world severely tainted and compromised by the consequences of their sin.

How can this be? For Scripture tells us that there will be nothing in Heaven that can mar the beauty of Heaven or spoil the joys of the Heaven He is preparing for the redeemed. Revelation 3:27 tell us that “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful . . . ” So, how could any of us qualify for entering into Heaven’s glory, knowing that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)? On our own, none of us could ever pass this purity test!

But the end of Revelation 21:27 gives us the key to understanding this extraordinary mystery, when it says “. . . those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” will enter in. The Lamb of God is Jesus. He became the ultimate sacrifice when He died in your place and in mine. And the sin of all those who have believed and received Him as their Saviour and Lord is covered by the righteousness of the holy Son of God. And the names of all those whose sin is covered are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

So, the redeemed of the Lord will enter in – not just for a comfortable experience – but into the eternal comfort and security of His presence, for evermore. This is the glorious Gospel message – no wonder Jesus told John to say “write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus for the extraordinary assurance that those whose sin is forgiven and have been redeemed, can be comforted by what You are preparing for those who love You. Help me, Lord, never to be worried again about what lies beyond the grave. Thank You for the ultimate comfort that comes from knowing You and believing in the truth of Your word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.